Anyhow, without further ado, our latest snippets of East Nashville news:

Find some funny on the East Side

You might’ve heard about the Wild West Comedy Festival, a five-day throwdown with some of comedy’s funniest funnypeople, from Seth Meyers and Marc Maron to Dennis Miller, even Chris Hardwick hosting Comedy Central’s @midnight right here in town (points!).

But did you know there’s an East Side comedy complement going down in the neighborhood that week, too? The Wild East Nasty Comedy Festival runs May 13-18 at various East Nashville venues, and features some talented local funny folk over that near-week. The clincher: These shows are either free or dollar-menu cheap.

A few tips for an action-packed weekend

We’re not generally low on things to do over here, but this weekend is particularly packed with fun stuff. A few pieces of fodder for your planner:

Saturday: East Nashville Chicken Chase and Hot Hen Hoedown

All day and free at Pavilion East, the Chicken Chase threatens to be some seriously ridiculous fun. Live music, an on-site spa for moms on pre-Mom’s Day, education from the revered Chicken Whisperer, shopping, food, an actual chicken chase race… Lots to do. We talked about it some recently, and you can snag more info at the Chicken Chase website.

The Chicken Chase's Stephanie Urbina Jones was on Talk of the Town this week, showing off Chicken Chase fashions. If you missed it, check the video below.

"Pieces of Shelby" — a collection of nature photos taken at Shelby Park and Shelby Bottoms Greenway — will be showing at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center through July, and this Saturday, the Center will host an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m.

Some cool side notes: There’ll be live ambient/nature-friendly music during the reception, and photographer Barry A. Noland will donate 20 percent from sales of his work to Friends of Shelby Park and Bottoms. More at the Facebook event page.

New Orleans-style candle shop Draconis Arcanum coming soon

Another new addition to the East Nashville business landscape: Draconis Arcanum — a “New Orleans-style spiritual supply boutique,” as described by proprietor Ms. Rebecca — is set for 214 E. Trinity Ln.

On the shelves at Draconis Arcanum, we’ll see candles, oils, books, and handmade gifts. The shop will also host local psychic readers and spiritual advisors.

Plans are to host a soft opening in June.

East Nashville Farmers Market opening day is almost here

The East Nashville Farmers Market folks have set a date for this season’s opening market day, and it’s next Wednesday, May 14, in their new location at Shelby Park.

As with past opening days, it’s gonna be a mix of shopping for local farm-fresh foods and artisan goods, plus fun stuff to do/eat, including food trucks, live music, face-painting, a petting zoo and a live bee demonstration.

Hours this season are a hair longer, too, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Come out, stock up, eat dinner, pet a goat.

Barista Parlor turns 2, throws a bash

Can you believe our widely praised slingers of delicious coffee beverages are already 2? Time flies when you’re caffeinated.

To celebrate two years of Barista Parlor fun, those folks have a fine Monday bash planned. Fat Bottom and Yazoo will be there with beer, the Grilled Cheeserie and Jeni’s will be there with food, Chris Scruggs, JD Wilkes & The Dirt Daubers and JP Harris & The Tough Choices will be there with music, Isle of Printing will be there with… printing. Also: tintype photobooth, for your Instagram profile photos.

The party runs Monday, May 12, 3 to 8 p.m., at 519B Gallatin, and it’s free. Congrats, Barista.

East Side Summer Solstice Party set for… summer

There’s an East Side Summer Solstice Party in the works for June 21 at the grassy knoll next to Bongo Java, and the plan is for a mix of food trucks, local bands, beer-makers and artisans to help us celebrate the onslaught of moist heat that is the Southern summer.

Organizers are still accepting vendor submissions, so if you’d like to take part, give ‘em a look.